Cream Cheese Frosting For Cupcakes

This recipe can accompany the Oh So Divine Red Velvet CupCakes!

Ingredients:

1 Cup cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 Cup unsalted butter - half a stick, softened
1/2 tsp essence of Vanilla
11/4 Cups powdered sugar, sifted
Pinch of salt

Method:

-Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and the butter to a smooth consistency.
- Lower the speed on the mixer and add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Turn the mixer on high again, beat the ingredients until light and fluffy.
- Its ready to use at once, cover if using it later.

Oh So Divine Red Velvet CupCakes !

This recipe makes one 1 dozen regular size cupcakes.

Ingredients:
11/4 cups sifted all purpose flour, make sure you sift it prior to measuring

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 bottle red rouge food coloring

4 tbsp unsalted butter, around 1/4 cup

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla essence  

1/2 cup buttermilk (liban), I use activia, at room temperature

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1/2 tsp baking soda

Method:
- Preheat the oven at 180 degrees, line 2 12-cups muffin tins with cupcake paper.
- In a bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set side.
- In a small bowl mix together the food coloring and cocoa powder until smooth with no lumps, set aside.
- Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together for around 3 minutes or until it's light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla, then the cocoa powder & baking soda mix.
- Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture beating it well.
- Add in half of the butter milk to the mixture while beating.
- Beat in another 1/3 of the flour mixture and the second half of the buttermilk.
- Finely beat in the last 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat until everything is well combined.
- In a small bowl, place the vinegar and add the baking soda to it. (it will foam a little bit).
- Add the vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir it with a spatula to combine it well.
- Using an ice cream scooper, fill 3/4 of the muffin tins with the cupcake batter.
- Place the tins in the oven and bake for 22 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle to check if the cupcakes are done.
- Cool the cakes for 10 minutes in the muffin tins, and then cool them for another ten minutes after removing them from the tins and placing them on a wire rack.
- The must be completely cool before frosting them.

Frosting them with Cream Cheese Icing (Recipe)

Beetroot Cake with Lemon Icing..

Beetroot.. this magical vegetable.. contains high sources of vitamin C, A, & Beta carotene. It's high in minerals such as, calcium, magnesium, potassium and Amino Acids. 
This Antioxidant does wonders for your cholesterol and the health of your skin.. 
So.. enough said.. it's time for our healthy yummy dessert recipe...


Cake Ingredients:
225g Self-raising flour
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
180ml Vegetable oil
225g Brown sugar
3 Eggs, separated - Yolks separated from the whites
1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
150g Raw beetroot, grated
1/2 lemon, juiced
75g Sultanas - Raisins 
75g Hazelnuts, Chopped



Icing Ingredients:
10 tbsp Icing sugar, sifted
1-2 tbsp Boiling water
a few drops of lemon juice
some lemon rind


Method:
- Set the oven on 180c.
- Greece the loaf tin with butter and then cover it lightly with flour to avoid the cake from sticking or line the loaf tin with baking paper.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, & cinnamon.
- In a mixer, beat the oil & sugar together then add the egg yolks one by one while mixing well between each addition ans add the vanilla extract.
- Fold the beetroot into the mixture and add the lemon juice, raisins, and hazelnuts. 
- Fold the dry ingredients into the mixture and mix them well.
- In the mixture, place the egg whites and beat until almost stiff then fold hem into the previous mixture using a metal spoon - do not use a wooden spoon because it won't allow the air to go through.
- Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 50 minutes at least - it could need more than 50 minutes depending on the oven used.
- Half way through cooking the cake, place a foil on top it prevent it from browning too much while the inside is not fully cooked.
- While the cake is in the oven, prepare the icing by mixing the sifted icing sugar, the lemon juice & rind and using enough boiling water to create a sticky shiny icing to smooth it on top of the cake.


Yum!
Enjoy...

Banana Bread Recipe # 2

I have tried a previous recipe of Banana Bread yet with nuts. This recipe is for a plain banana bread. I enjoy it with milk, in the morning, as a snack or dessert. It's delicious any way you eat it!

Ingredients:

2 Ripe bananas
1&1/2 cups flour
5 Tbsp melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt

Method:

1- Preheat the over at 350°.
2- In a mixer, place the sugar, egg & Vanilla. Start mixing.
3- Sprinkle the baking soda & salt over the mixture and mix it in.
4- Finely add the flour. Mix everything well.
5- Pour mixture into a buttered pan and bake for 1 hour.
6- Once done, keep it on a cooling rack, once cool, slice & serve.

Normally this recipe requires baking in a Loaf Pan , but I don't go by traditional methods.. I'm such a rebel, I used a Bundt Cake Pan ..haha :P

Apple Crostata with a Twist

Winter.. winter.. Brrrrrrrr..

Ingredients

For the pastry:
• 2 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons Caster sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks very cold unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:
• 4 Large Green apples
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons Icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Method:
1- Starting out with the pastry by placing the flour, sugar, orange zest and salt in the food processor and pulse to combine.
2- Add the butter and mix.
3- Add the 4 tablespoons of water gradually while mixing until combined and the dough starts to form.
4- Remove the dough from the food processor and form into a disk.
5- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for one hour.
6- Prepare the filling by peeling the apples and cutting into wedges.
7- Toss the wedges with the cinnamon and icing sugar.
8- Once the dough is cool, remove from fridge and flour the rolling pin and the surface to roll the dough into a circle and transfer it into a baking sheet.
9- Place the apples in the middle of the dough away from the edges.
10- Role up and fold the edges to hug the apple mix and enclose the dough to form a circle.
11- In a preheated oven 180 degrees, place the crostata to bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust turns golden and the apples are tender.
12- Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Serve with icecream or whipped cream.

My Choc-Caramel Turtle Madness

Cake Batter Ingredients:

2 Cups flour
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Cocoa
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk (Leban)
1 Cup Oil
1&1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1 Cup Boiling Water

Caramel pecan mixture:
1 bag of caramels pieces
1/2 cup evaporated milk (Carnation)
1 cup chopped pecans

Plus:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Method:

- Preheat Oven at 350 degrees.
- Greese & flour a springform baking dish
- Place all the cake batter ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix on medium to high speed and make sure to scrap the bowl occasionally until all ingredients are blended and smooth.
- pour half of the batter into baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the caramel pecan mix by heating the caramels and evaporated milk over medium heat and stir constantly until caramels are melted, then stir in the pecans.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the cake from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Pour over the remaining batter and bake for another 28 minutes until the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool the cake for 30 minutes and serve with either ice cream, or more caramel & pecans topping.

Enjoy...

Homemade Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup dates pitted & peeled
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda ( found in Sultan Center Kuwait)
a pinch of nutmeg (if available)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten


Toffee Sauce Ingredients:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup KDD Cream
1&1/3 cups dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons water


Method:

- Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
- Place the dates in a saucepan with 1 cup of water, vanilla extract, and baking soda. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. leave to cool.
- Prepare a mini cupcakes baking pan by buttering & flouring it.
- Cream the butter in a mixing bowl, add the date mixture.
- Combine the dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and sugar.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter and dates, add the beaten egg and stir gently to combine.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking pan until half full.
- Bake the mini cupcakes for 25 to 30 minutes.

While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the toffee sauce:
- Combine butter, KDD cream, brown sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and set aside keeping the sauce warm.

- Once the mini cupcakes are done, remove from oven, pour sauce on each mini cupcake individually (be generous) and put it back in the oven to bake for 2 more minutes.

- Remove from oven, set to cool then remove from baking dish to serve.

- Can be served with ready made custard, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy...

My Strawberry CheeseCake w/ Strawberry Glaze

This is one of the oldest recipes I make, I have started making this cheese cake since 1992. Long time ago... it never lost it's flavor, always a classic!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

a small box of McVitie's Digestive

half a stick of butter, melted

For the Cheesecake filling:

800 g philadelphia cream cheese (4 boxes)

3/4 cup sugar

5 teaspoons cornstarch

3 eggs

1 egg yolk

1&1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

1 Strawberry Jello (prepared as instructed)

2 tablespoons Cornstarch

Method:

- Crush the digestive cookies and stir them together with the melted butter until well combined.

- Press the crumbs mixture evenly at the bottom of a springform pan. set aside.

- In a bowl combine the cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Beat them with an electric mixer until all combined and smooth.

- Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.

- Pour the mixture on top of the crust in the springform pan and spread evenly.

- Bake at 350 degrees f (170 c) for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 225 degrees f (100 c) and bake for one hour and 10 minutes.

- Remove the cake from the oven, chill it for a few hours or over night without removing it from the pan.

- Once chilled completely, prepare the stawberries, cut them in half and layer them on the cake.

- Prepare the glaze by making the jello and adding the cornstarch, then let it cool. Once cool pour it on top. Chill the cake in the fridge until the glaze is completely cool.

- take the cake out of the pan and serve.

Enjoy...

My Happy Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

Just last night I baked those lovely and heavenly tasting cupcakes, everyone raved about them and the process of making them was so easy.
The ingredients below make around 1 dozen cupcakes, so double the ingredients if you want more !!

Ingredients:

3 or 4 large carrots, peeled and grated finely
1/2 cup ground walnuts - or chopped to small pieces & toasted
2 medium size eggs
1/4 Leban or buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda ( found in sultan center - Arm & Hammer is the one I use)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest of one orange
1&1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

& for the frosting:  

1/2 stick butter (unsalted)
1 cup cream cheese (Philadelphia)
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Method:

- You start off by preheating the oven at 180C.
- In a bowl, place the carrots, eggs, leban (buttermilk), sugar, oil, orange zest & vanilla and whisk well.
- Then seperetly, in a different bowl whisk your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda & powder, salt, ground cardamom & cinnamon.
- mix both the dry ingredients & the carrot mixture together gently to incorporate.
- add the toasted walnuts, folding them in gently.
- Using cupcake pan (regular size) and paper baking cups, scoop 3/4 of the mixture into each paper cup.
- Bake for 28 minutes at 180C.
- While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting by combining 1/2 stick of butter, 1 cup of cream cheese (Philadelphia cream cheese) and 3/4 cup powdered sugar beat until well combined. set aside.
- Remove cupcakes from oven when done. Allowing them to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Take them out of the pan and on to a wire rack.
- When fully cooled, spread the cupcakes with the frosting

Enjoy...

Low-fat Chocolate Cake ~ Diet

202 calories per serving (per piece)


Ingredients:

125g margarine (soft)
1&1/2 cups sugar
2 whole eggs
1 egg white
4 tablespoons cocoa
3&1/2 cups prepared chocolate pudding
2 cups self rising flour
75g natural apple sauce


Method:

- Preheat oven to 390 degrees F.

- Grease baking pan with a little bit of the margarine.

- Mix the rest of the margarine with sugar and 1 whole egg until mixture is unified.

- Gradually and alternately add: flour, cocoa, 1 whole egg, pudding, flour, cocoa, apple sauce, pudding -- and so on, until all mixes up nicely to a homogeneous mixture.

- Pure into greased baking pan (square or round) and bake for about 30 minutes, or until cake is ready: dry and bouncy to touch.

- When the cake is ready take it out of the oven and cover-seal it with aluminum foil until cools. This ensures the crust keeps moist.

- To decorate, use chocolate syrup and spread it all over as if it was frosting. It's good enough for the sprinkles to stick, and it adds additional moist and chocolaty flavor.


Enjoy...

M&M's Chocolate Cake ~ Book

Serves 16


Ingredients:

4 ounces semisweet or sweet chocolate, broken into pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts (optional)
1 cup M&M's Mini Bits


Method:

1. Spray a Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, heat chocolate and butter in microwave oven on High 1 minute, stirring once during heating. Remove from microwave; stir chocolate mixture until melted and smooth. Add marshmallows to mixture. Heat in microwave on High 1 minute longer; stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth.

3. Add cereal, peanuts (optional), and M&M's to chocolate mixture. Stir until all ingredients are coated and mixture is well combined.

4. Transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan, pressing mixture down with fingertips. Let stand at least 1 hour to set chocolate.

5. To unmold, with knife or metal spatula, loosen cake from side of pan; invert onto serving plate. Cut into slices to serve. Store in covered container at room temperature up to 3 days.


Enjoy...

Cream-Filled Chocolate Cake

Serves 16

Ingredients:

Filling:
1/4 cup sugar
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake:
2 cups flour
1&1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1&1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze:
2 ounces white chocolate
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


Method:

- Heat oven to 350°F.

- Combine all filling ingredients in small mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth; set aside.

- Combine all cake ingredients in large mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until all ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth.

- Pour 3 cups batter into greased and floured 12-cup bundt pan. Spoon filling over batter without touching sides of pan; cover with remaining batter.

- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 30 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.

- Melt white chocolate and 1 teaspoon shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted (1 to 2 minutes). Drizzle over cooled cake. Let stand until firm.

- Repeat with remaining shortening and chocolate chips. Store refrigerated.

Yumm...

Items needed:

Chocolate Mousse Pie

Serves 12-16

Prep. time: 35–40 minutes
plus eight or more hours downtime.


Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Cookie Crust:

24 double-chocolate Oreo cookies
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted


For the Chocolate Mousse Filling:

1&1/2 pounds semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup water
4 egg yolks, room temperature
2 cups heavy cream

whipped cream or raspberries for decoration

Requires a 10-inch springform pan.


Method:


For the Chocolate Cookie Crust:

- Preheat oven to 350° & Prepare a 10-inch springform pan.

- Place the broken cookies into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and blitz to create fine crumbs.

- Pour the crumbs into a medium bowl, add the melted butter, and mix until well combined.

- Place the crumbs into a 10-inch springform pan and press evenly over the bottom and half way up the sides.

- Bake 10–12 minutes until set.

- Remove from the oven and cool completely before filling.


For the Chocolate Mousse Filling:

- Add the espresso powder to the warm water and mix well.

- Place the melted chocolate, espresso, water, and egg yolks into a spacious bowl and mix until smooth.

- Pour the cream into the bowl of your electric mixer and whip until it forms stiff peaks.

- Pour the chocolate mixture into a spacious bowl and use a large wire whisk to fold in the whipped cream. Fold gently but thoroughly, until no streaks remain.

- Pour the mixture into the springform pan, place plastic wrap over the surface and refrigerate for 4–6 hours or overnight.

- Remove the mousse pie from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

- Gently run a knife between the crust and the pan to loosen it. Open the latch of the spring form pan, and remove the pie. Place on a serving plate, decorate, and serve.


yum!

Caramel Cheesecake

Ingredients:

For the Crust:
4 Tablespoons melted butter
1&1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs


For the Caramel:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup whipping cream


For the Cheesecake:
4 packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 tablespoon salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature


For the Caramel Panes: (optional)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water


Method:


For the crust:
- Combine butter and crumbs, mixing well with a fork. Press into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.

For the caramel:
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir well. Cover with a lid and cook until sugar turns a medium amber color, about 3&1/2 minutes after mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir 30 seconds. Slowly stir in cream, being careful to avoid spatters. Set aside.

For the cheesecake:
- Beat cream cheese and both sugars at medium speed of an electric mixer until soft and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating on lowest speed of mixer just until incorporated.

- Pour two-thirds of batter over crust. Beat caramel mixture into remaining batter. Pour caramel batter over plain batter in pan and swirl mixtures with a rubber spatula.

- Bake at 350°F. for about 50 minutes, or until edges are firm but middle still wiggles. Remove from oven and cool. Chill. Decorate with caramel panes just before serving.

Caramel Panes: (Optional)
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Boil until mixture is light brown and a small amount dropped in cold water forms a brittle ball. Remove from heat and immediately pour into a 9-inch, well-buttered round cake pan or plate.

- When the caramel starts to harden, cut each circle into six wedges with a pizza wheel or a sharp knife. As caramel continues to harden, recut the wedges several times.

- Slide the tip of a sharp knife under a wedge and remove from plate. Place on a buttered cookie sheet to continue cooling. Continue with remaining panes. Some may break. Save six of the most attractive panes for the decoration.

- Just before serving, place three panes in a spoke pattern on top of cheesecake. In each space between panes, wedge a pane vertically into cake.

Enjoy...

Old-fashioned Apple Pie

Serves 8







Ingredients:



Pastry:

2 & 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Crisco brand shortening (found at Sultan Center)
1 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt
6 tablespoons ice water


Filling:

8 medium tart green apples
1 & 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 egg white, beaten lightly - optional
1 teaspoon sugar for sprinkling (coarse sugar is nice) - optional



Method:


1- Mix flour and salt in mixing bowl. Cut shortening into the flour with a pastry cutter, until mixture resembles the texture of tiny split peas. Do not use your hands to try and mix it, the heat from you hands will melt the shortening, causing the pastry to be "heavy", not light and flaky.

2- When mixture is the right texture, add the ice water and combine with a fork. It may appear as if it needs more water, it does not. Quickly gather the dough into a ball.

3- Divide dough into two balls and flatten each into 4-inch-wide disk. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

4- Remove one piece of dough from refrigerator. If stiff and very cold, let stand until dough is cool but malleable. Roll one dough disk on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. To transfer dough, carefully roll it around the rolling pin, lift and unroll dough, centering it in an ungreased 9-inch regular or deep-dish pie plate. (Or you can fold dough in quarters, then place dough point in center of pie pan and unfold dough, whatever is easiest for you.)

5- Gently press dough into sides of pan, leaving portion that overhangs edge of pie pan in place. Refrigerate while preparing apple filling.

6- Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 425*F (220*C).
Peel, core, and cut apples into slices no larger than 1/2-inch thick. Gently toss the apple slices with the lemon juice. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add sugar mixture to the apple slices and gently toss to coat well. Turn apple mixture into into chilled pie shell and mound slightly in center. Dot with butter.

7- Roll out second dough disk and place over filling. Trim overhang to 1-inch from edge. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is flush with pan edge. Flute edging or press with fork tines to seal. Make several slits in top crust to allow steam to escape. If pie dough is very soft, place in freezer for 10 minutes. Brush egg white onto top of crust and sprinkle evenly with sugar, if desired.

8- Bake until top crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375*F (190*C); continue baking until juices bubble and crust is deep golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack; cool to almost room temperature, at least 4 hours.


Enjoy...

Chocolate Cheesecake ~ NL

Serves 8

Ingredients:

125g digestive biscuits
50g melted unsalted butter
500g cream cheese
150g golden caster sugar
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
175ml sour cream
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
150g plain chocolate, melted

20cm Springform tin

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees; place a kettle of water on the stove and bring it to a boil.

Process the biscuits and butter together and press into the bottom of the tin, then stick the tin in the fridge until the filling is ready.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the sugar.

Add the eggs and yolks, one by one, beating in after each addition.

Now pour in the sour cream and the lime juice and beat until smooth and creamy.

Taste to see if you want sourer base-note than this and, if so, add more lime juice.

Gently fold in the melted chocolate; you want a cheese cake marbled with dark chocolate, so don't combine fully.

Line the springform with foil on the outside, and then tear off another square and repeat the exercise.

Stand the tin in a roasting dish and fill it with the mixture.

Pour hot water from the recently boiled kettleinto the roasting tray to come 2-3 cm up the side of the cake tin and place in the oven to cook for about 1 hour.

When the cheesecake's ready it should have browned a little on the edges and the centre should be just set on top, with a hint of wobble underneath.

Remove the cake tin and tear away the foil. Sit on a rack to cool, then refrigerate before unmoulding and leaving it to get back to room temperature.


Yummy...

Items used:

Easy to do ..Strawberry Trifle

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Marinated strawberries:
1 quart fresh strawberries, halved
1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar

Whipped cream:
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 (1 pound) fresh pound cake
1/3 orange or pineapple juice
2 cookies, for garnish
Sugar-Cane sugar, for garnish (demerara)



Method:

- In a small bowl, toss the strawberries with vinegar and let stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.

- After the strawberries have marinated, check for sweetness, adding sugar if desired.

- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, whisk the cream to soft peaks. Add the
vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Whip until stiff peaks. Set aside.

- Slice pound cake lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices.
You will only need 4 slices. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from
each cake slice.

- Line up 2 high ball glasses and place 1 cake circle in the bottom
of each. Brush cakes with orange or pineapple juice. Add 2 tablespoons of marinated
strawberries and spread evenly.

- Using a different tablespoon, add a large dollop of whipped cream and spread evenly. Add a second layer of cake, pressing down lightly. Brush with juice.

- Add 2 tablespoons of marinated strawberries and spread evenly. Top with a large dollop of whipped cream, spreading evenly.

- Cover trifles with plastic wrap and refrigerate for impromptu indulgence, Keeping
in mind that it will store for up to 2 days.

- To serve, remove and discard plastic wrap. Grate some cookies or chocolate flakes on top and sprinkle with demerara sugar.


Enjoy...

Torta Alla Gianduia (Nutella Cake) ~ NL

I finely got this book that I ordered two and a half months ago, Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess". I chose this recipe because my mom loves hazelnuts, it's quite easy to make and tastes and looks fantabilous !!
on our regular gathering last Wednesday I baked it and had great reviews. Tyr it.

Serves 8

for the cake:

6 large eggs, separated
pinch of salt
1/2 cup soft unsalted butter
400g nutella (1 large jar)
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup ground hazelnuts
100g dark chocolate, melted (i use Baker's unsweetened chocolate from Sultan Center)

for the icing:

100g hazelnuts, pealed
1/2 cup heavy cream (double cream)
1 tablespoon water
125g dark chocolate

Method:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

Prepare a 9-inch springform pan: grease and line with parchment or wax paper.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs whites and salt until stiff but not dry (this means that they will hold their peaks, yet still appear glossy and smooth).

In a separate bowl, beat the butter and Nutella together, then add the water, egg yolks, and ground hazelnuts.

Fold in the cooled, melted chocolate, then lighten the mixture with a dollop of egg white, which you can beat in as roughly as you want, before gently folding the rest of them in a third at a time.

Pour into the prepared pan and cook for 40 minutes or until the cake's beginning to come away at the sides, then let cool on rack.
Toast the hazelnuts in a dry frying pan until the aroma wafts upward and the nuts are golden brown in parts: keep shaking the pan so they don't burn on one side and stay too pallid on others.
Transfer to a plate and let cool.

In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan, add the cream, water, and chopped chocolate and heat gently. Once the chocolate's melted, take the pan off the heat and whisk until it reaches the right consistency to ice just the top of the cake.

Unmold the cooled cake carefully, leaving it on the base as it will be too difficult to get such a damp cake off in one piece. Ice the top with the chocolate icing, and dot thickly with the whole, toasted hazelnuts.

I'm a chocolate lover and I give it:

Triple Chocolate Cake - WICKED

Because it's my day and because I'm a chocoholic... here's a rich and delicious cake, filled with a double cream and melted plain chocolate mixture, topped with more melted chocolate and chocolate curls made from white and plain chocolate. Wicked!

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

175g light muscovado sugar
150g self-raising flour
pinch salt
3 tbsp cocoa powder
100g butter
2 medium eggs, beaten
90ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling and decoration:

2 x 100g bars plain chocolate, broken into pieces
90ml double cream
100g bar white chocolate, broken into pieces
1 tsp cocoa powder

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/Gas 4). Grease and base line two 18 cm (7 inch) sandwich tins.

Combine the sugar, flour, salt and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Rub in the butter, using your fingertips, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Beat the eggs, milk and vanilla together. Add to the bowl and stir well, then spoon into the prepared tins and level the tops. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes, then turn out and cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling, melt the plain chocolate in a bowl placed over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Pour about one third of this chocolate onto a marble surface or smooth chopping board and spread it out to about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Chill it in the refrigerator for making curls. Cool the remaining chocolate for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the cream until it holds its shape. Swirl in half the remaining plain chocolate, then use this mixture to sandwich the cakes together. Spread the remaining plain chocolate over the top of the cake.

To make chocolate curls, push a long-bladed knife over the surface of the chilled chocolate. (If it flakes, allow the chocolate to sit at room temperature for a few minutes). Lift the curls onto the cake with a fine skewer or cocktail stick. Melt the white chocolate in the same way to make white chocolate curls and place these on top of the cake. Dust with a little cocoa powder, then serve.

Tip:

Keep the finished cake in the fridge. Remember to let it come to room temperature before you serve it to appreciate its flavour.

Thai Salmon Fish Cakes ~ CHH

Fishcakes like you've never tasted before - try those chilli-spiked savoury bites.

Level of difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

5 garlic cloves, chopped
3 fresh red chillies, seeds removed, chopped
2 lemon grass stalks, chopped
3 coriander roots
1 piece of fresh root ginger (2cm), or galangal
1 large shallot, or small onion
1 tsp kaffir lime peel
1 tbsp Salt
1 tbsp white peppercorns

For the fishcakes:

500g salmon fillet, skin removed
1 tsp Thai red curry paste (found at Sultan Center)
1 egg
2 tbsp nam pla (Thai fish sauce)
1 tbsp caster sugar
2 tbsp cornflour
1 tsp fresh lime juice
2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
1 tsp salt and pepper, or to taste
1 litre vegetable oil, for deep-frying
4 tbsp sweet soy sauce, or soy vinegar dressing, to serve

For the soy dressing:

2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp Sesame Oil
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp nam pla (Thai fish sauce)
1 tsp chopped coriander
1 green chilli, seeds removed, chopped

Method:

Using a food processor, blend all the ingredients for the Thai red curry paste until smooth. Set aside while you make the rest of the dish.

Cut the salmon into small cubes and mix with 1 tsp Thai red curry paste and the egg. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and beat well. Shape into small patties.

Heat the oil in a wok and deep fry the fish cakes a few at a time for about 4-5 minutes, until they’re crisp and golden. Remove from the oil and drain well on absorbent kitchen paper. Serves straight away with chilli sauce or the soy dressing

To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together, taste for seasoning and serve with the hot fishcakes.

Enjoy....